Strong opening week sets the tone for 2026 at Plainridge Park

The 2026 harness racing season at Plainridge Park got off to a fast and competitive start during its opening week, highlighted by standout driving performances, major Open victories and a flurry of longshot scores across the first three cards.

Monday (April 13) – Opening Day Fireworks

Opening Day belonged early to Kevin Switzer Jr., who opened the meet in style with a natural hat trick in the first three races. Switzer scored with Seafood Neighneigh ($2.80), Noted A ($7.00) and Joy In Mudville ($5.80), quickly setting the tone for a busy afternoon in the sulky.

Mitchell Cushing responded later on the program with a hat trick of his own, sweeping the final three races of the card. He began the surge in Race 9 with Binge On Yankee ($34.00), followed by a massive upset in Race 10 with Wainapedia ($48.80), before closing out the day with Whats For Suppaah ($26.20) in the finale.

The featured $25,000 Open Handicap pace saw For Once Inmy Life deliver a 1:51 front-end victory, securing another top-level win for the heavily backed pacer. The victory marked the third seasonal score for the Winters Racing-owned standout of Foxboro, Massachusetts.

In the co-featured $22,000 Open II, Binge On Yankee provided one of the biggest prices of the day, storming home late to stop the clock in 1:50.4. The gelding, owned by trainer Mark Eaton in partnership with Robert Griffin, capitalized on a strong closing effort to deliver the upset.

 

Tuesday (April 14) – Athearn takes command

Matty Athearn made an immediate impact on Tuesday’s card, striking in the opener with Ladysassin, who scored decisively by 4-½ lengths in 1:54 to set the tone for the afternoon.

Athearn went on to dominate the program with a four-win performance, also scoring with Odds On King Cobra ($19.60), Flying Finn N ($27.60) and Whata Foolbelieves ($5.00).

In the fifth race, Flying Finn N ($27.00) provided a special milestone, giving trainer Kyle Athearn his first career training victory, with brother Matthew Athearn in the sulky.

The fastest mile of the day came in the nightcap, where Bettor’s Ticket and driver Drew Monti powered to a sharp 1:51.3 victory for trainer Cory Stratton, closing out a lively Tuesday card.

 

Thursday (April 16) – Open double for Nickerson and Athearn

Thursday’s program featured a standout performance from trainer-driver combination Jimmy Nickerson and Matty “Ice” Athearn, who teamed up to capture both $25,000 Open events on the card.

Swedish Starlet N delivered in the Fillies and Mares Open Handicap, stopping the clock in 1:51.1 for a new seasonal mark. The duo doubled up later when Memorynimagination captured the Open Trot in 1:55, also a seasonal best.

Athearn added two more wins on the day with Just Roxy (1:56.2, $5.80) and Bella’s Love (1:58.1, $4.00), marking back-to-back four-win performances to start the meet.

The upset of the day came from Moms Cash (Wallace Watson), who scored at 29-1 ($60.00) for trainer Lisa Watson in a surprise result.

 

Early season standings

After the first week of racing, Matty Athearn leads all drivers with nine victories. Kevin Switzer Jr. and Mitchell Cushing are tied for second with five wins apiece.

On the training side, Jimmy Nickerson leads the standings with four wins, followed by Cory Stratton in second with three.

 

Looking ahead

Racing resumes Monday (April 20) at 4:00 p.m. at Plainridge Park. The program will feature a $4,943 carryover in the Wicked Hi-5 (Pentafecta) wager in Race 6.

Fans can access the FREE online program all season long by visiting plainridgeparkharnessracing.com and clicking the “Free Program” tab.

 

By 𝐆𝐥𝐞𝐧 𝐌𝐜𝐍𝐞𝐢𝐥 for the Harness Horseman’s Association of New England, Inc